This is a strange picture book/chapter book. It is quite short, and the story is full of one or two dimensional kids, the one who likes bikes, the oneThis is a strange picture book/chapter book. It is quite short, and the story is full of one or two dimensional kids, the one who likes bikes, the one who shoots spit-balls, but for all that it is still quite amusing. Someone suggested this might be a contender for the Newbery, but I would be surprised and disappointed if it were so. Though it isn't a bad book, per se. ...more

This is one of my favorite types of book, a simple non-fiction picture book. The kind that takes what could be a dry paragraph and tells it like a stoThis is one of my favorite types of book, a simple non-fiction picture book. The kind that takes what could be a dry paragraph and tells it like a story, bringing the few bits of information out to make them more interesting and alive. The downside is that these books are not really good for the one thing that kids seem mostly to want non-fiction books for: reports. In some ways these narrative non-fiction books would circulate better with the picture books, because while this tells a true story it is primarily a story and only secondarily a true account. ...more

I really enjoyed this picture book biography of Jane Goodall's life. It is longer then some picture book biographies, but similarly skims over the lifI really enjoyed this picture book biography of Jane Goodall's life. It is longer then some picture book biographies, but similarly skims over the life to highlight some of the most significant aspects. It is written on a pretty easy level so 2-3rd graders could enjoy it, which is an achievement. The illustrations are likewise lovely....more

Not a picture book for young children, this will appeal to grade scholars and would be fun to use in a class visit. The flaps don't seem like they wilNot a picture book for young children, this will appeal to grade scholars and would be fun to use in a class visit. The flaps don't seem like they will last, but this for some reason is in the poetry section so it wont circulate a ton!...more

A good older picture book about revision and the writing process, particularly thank you notes. It is pretty hilarious. I found it in my stuff from ALA good older picture book about revision and the writing process, particularly thank you notes. It is pretty hilarious. I found it in my stuff from ALA, and am glad I kept it!...more

This is one of a whole series of non-fiction picture books for older children based around the alphabet. The illustrations are very nice, and it is veThis is one of a whole series of non-fiction picture books for older children based around the alphabet. The illustrations are very nice, and it is very informative, perhaps too much so for some children, who would prefer a briefer overview. It is nicely divided with some text that goes with the pictures and can be read aloud, and longer explainations and history that can be used to find more information and explore the topic....more

A very cute book about a giant chicken and some pretty dumb chickens, who keep thinking the world is about to end. The big chicken shows them that itA very cute book about a giant chicken and some pretty dumb chickens, who keep thinking the world is about to end. The big chicken shows them that it isn't about to end and they think it is going to, and the stupid chicken calls him all different things. A fun read aloud for grade school kids...more

This is really a grade school 2-6grade level book, so even though it is about colors it isn't suitable for younger kids. It is about the seasons and cThis is really a grade school 2-6grade level book, so even though it is about colors it isn't suitable for younger kids. It is about the seasons and colors, and how they are evoked in each time period.

Update: It just won a Caldecott Honor, one of only two awarded in 2010....more